NBA is promoiting the All-Star game as a fan-driven entertainment bonanza and at the same time also portraying it as a recognition of a player's achievement. You can't have both. The All-Star weekend is just an entertainment showcase for the fans. It's no different than a Globetrotters game. It's past time that the fans, media, agents and players themselves stop treating an all-star selection as some sort of achievement.

I say go all the way. Have the fans pick the reserves too. Let the masses have their fun while people who actually like the game of basketball can take a break.

NBA is promoiting the All-Star game as a fan-driven entertainment bonanza and at the same time also portraying it as a recognition of a player's achievement. You can't have both. The All-Star weekend is just an entertainment showcase for the fans. It's no different than a Globetrotters game. It's past time that the fans, media, agents and players themselves stop treating an all-star selection as some sort of achievement.

I say go all the way. Have the fans pick the reserves too. Let the masses have their fun while people who actually like the game of basketball can take a break.

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I would rather it be all about player recognition. I think the fans should have some limited influence, for the fun of it. But if we're going to call it All-Star (and I think we should) let's have it be about the most deserving players playing. Otherwise, call it the Fan's Choice Awards game.

The problem is that it would look really bad from a PR standpoint to try to now cut back on the fans' influence from where it is now.

I would rather it be all about player recognition. I think the fans should have some limited influence, for the fun of it. But if we're going to call it All-Star (and I think we should) let's have it be about the most deserving players playing. Otherwise, call it the Fan's Choice Awards game.

The problem is that it would look really bad from a PR standpoint to try to now cut back on the fans' influence from where it is now.

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That would be my preference too, but the reality is this is a money making machine for the NBA, and they're not going to change it.

What about this: we have 4 teams for all-stars and have ourselves a final four tournament. The teams:

Fan Stars East & Fan Stars West: the entire rosters are picked by fans All Stars East & All Stars West: the entire rosters are picked by coaches & players

Order of precedence if there's conflict (like Kobe being named starter in both Fan Stars and All Stars):

Fan Star Starter All Star Starter All Star Bench Fan Star Bench

So, for instance if Kobe is named as a starter for both teams, then he plays in Fan Stars West. But, if Chris Paul is named an all star starter, but a Fan Star bench, then he plays as an All Star starter.

Based on the latest tally, and my wild guess as to who the coaches/players would name, the teams (possibly) would be:

What about this: we have 4 teams for all-stars and have ourselves a final four tournament. The teams:

Fan Stars East & Fan Stars West: the entire rosters are picked by fans All Stars East & All Stars West: the entire rosters are picked by coaches & players

Order of precedence if there's conflict (like Kobe being named starter in both Fan Stars and All Stars):

Fan Star Starter All Star Starter All Star Bench Fan Star Bench

So, for instance if Kobe is named as a starter for both teams, then he plays in Fan Stars West. But, if Chris Paul is named an all star starter, but a Fan Star bench, then he plays as an All Star starter.

Based on the latest tally, and my wild guess as to who the coaches/players would name, the teams (possibly) would be:

By the way, what is up with Lebron backing out? I wonder if it has something to do with him being unable to confiscate the tapes if somebody has a better dunk than him. Hmmm.

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Normally, I could care less about the dunk contest. All it is is a big fat vehicle to sell shoes, cel phones and soft drinks. I usually end up DVRing it and glossing over it with my thumb on the fast-forward button.

But...

Shaq has a good idea here.

It would be great PR for a league in dyer need of it and a great benefit for some people in desperate need of help.

What about this: we have 4 teams for all-stars and have ourselves a final four tournament. The teams:

Fan Stars East & Fan Stars West: the entire rosters are picked by fans All Stars East & All Stars West: the entire rosters are picked by coaches & players

Order of precedence if there's conflict (like Kobe being named starter in both Fan Stars and All Stars):

Fan Star Starter All Star Starter All Star Bench Fan Star Bench

So, for instance if Kobe is named as a starter for both teams, then he plays in Fan Stars West. But, if Chris Paul is named an all star starter, but a Fan Star bench, then he plays as an All Star starter.

Based on the latest tally, and my wild guess as to who the coaches/players would name, the teams (possibly) would be:

Fan Stars West: Kobe, T-Mac, Melo, Dirk, Amare

All Stars West: Chris Paul, Brendon Roy, Pau Gasol, Durant, Bynum

Fan Stars East: Wade, AI, LeBron, KG, Howard

All Stars East: Rondo, Joe Johnson, Pierce, Bosh, Bargnani or Lee

Could be fun.

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How bout just two teams? Take you're idea with the fans voting, but for one team and the coaches & players voting for the second. Just take out the Easy Vs. West angle and have coaches & players Vs. Fans... And to make it really interesting - Loser has to work in a Nike factory for one week... I wonder would would win???

The players shouldn't let the dunk contest fade into bad ratings territory. How hard is it for 1 start to show up each year to make it a real event? Dwight Howard did it and seemed to have a great time.

I like the new blood too, but you gotta have at least 1 guy that everybody knows by first name.

The players shouldn't let the dunk contest fade into bad ratings territory. How hard is it for 1 start to show up each year to make it a real event? Dwight Howard did it and seemed to have a great time.

I like the new blood too, but you gotta have at least 1 guy that everybody knows by first name.

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I guess I'm hung-up on the whole charity thing and the fact that there is a real chance to do some good here if guys like LeBron, Wade, Kobe, D-Ho, Carter and others got off of their butts and entertained the fans for an hour or so.

Nobody wants to see a guy like Sonny Weems jump over a chair and rattle home a dunk anymore.